Sculptor constellation
Sculptor is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the sculptor. It is highest in the sky at midnight around September 21, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 52°N to 90°S.
Sculptor at a glance
- Represents
- the sculptor
- Highest at midnight
- September 21
- Highest at 9 pm
- November 5
- Seen whole from
- 52°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Sculptor
Sculptor is highest in the sky at midnight around September 21 and at 9 pm around November 5. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 4:20 p.m. |
| February 15 | 2:20 p.m. |
| March 15 | 12:30 p.m. |
| April 15 | 10:20 a.m. |
| May 15 | 8:30 a.m. |
| June 15 | 6:20 a.m. |
| July 15 | 4:30 a.m. |
| August 15 | 2:30 a.m. |
| September 15 | 12:20 a.m. |
| October 15 | 10:20 p.m. |
| November 15 | 8:20 p.m. |
| December 15 | 6:20 p.m. |
Where to look for Sculptor
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Sculptor rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on September 21, 16° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Sculptor rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on September 21, almost overhead.
Brightest stars in Sculptor
None of the stars of Sculptor is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 4.
Sculptor in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Sculptor in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Sculptor
Find Sculptor in your sky
Questions about Sculptor
Sculptor is highest in the sky at midnight around September 21 and at 9 pm around November 5. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Sculptor rises above the horizon from 52°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 61°N to 90°S.
Sculptor represents the sculptor. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Sculptor in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.